The Research Associate is responsible for developing, analyzing, and distributing football research that supports the NFL Media Group. This role will assist in ensuring editorial consistency, factual accuracy, and statistical context across all platforms. The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of football history, statistics and current events, along with excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational skills. The NFL Media Group is seeking a collaborative and detail-orientated professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can support multiple projects while meeting tight deadlines.
Responsibilities
- Leads the development of editorial content, ensuring ideas are properly executed into graphics, segments, features, and other content for live studio shows.
- Contributes to daily content distribution plan that pushes targeted research materials to content creators throughout the Media Group.
- Develops original storylines, notes, nuggets and boards that provide statistical context around events, news stories and topical issues.
- Identify and anticipate league and team trends, applying relevant statistics to create compelling content.
- Ensures factual accuracy of all research content.
- Works within our standards for high-quality research content while maintaining tireless work ethic on a consistent basis.
- Works closely with coordinating producers, producers, editors, writers, talent, and digital teams.
- Make significant contributions to Weekly Research Notes, breaking news coverage, and numerous research-related projects supporting the Media Group.
- Collaborate with the Research team on best practices regarding both dedicated show research and general research support.
- Assists in training for new seasonal research staff.
- Recommend improvements to research methods, tools, and standards.
- React quickly to breaking news and adhere to strict deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree.
- 3-5 years of professional experience working with statistics or covering and analyzing sports events and news.
- Strong foundation of knowledge of current and historical football statistics, news, events and milestones.
- Must be technologically savvy, with strong command of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
- Strong familiarity with digital and social media platforms.
- Ability to meet strict deadlines and adapt quickly to breaking news and changing priorities.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in sports media.
- Previous work experience working for or covering the NFL.
- Proven track record of success working with high profile broadcasters.
- Knowledge of football research databases/resources a plus (i.e. Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus, Next Gen Stats, etc.).
- Strong understanding of the football media landscape, including emerging platforms and competing properties.
- Detailed knowledge of television production processes, including awareness of key editorial roles.
Other Key Attributes / Characteristics
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and departments.
- Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Travel
- Possible travel to events, less than 10%.
Terms /Expected Hours of Work
- Required to work 40 hours per week with potential for overtime.
- Required to work nights and weekends around NFL games and tentpole events.
- This is an in-office position.
- This job posting is for a position with one of the NFL’s third-party agency partners that provides services to the NFL. The individual selected for this role will be an employee of that third-party agency and not the NFL. All compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment are handled by the agency. The assignment to provide services to the NFL will be limited in duration but may be extended for an additional period by agreement between the NFL and the agency.
Salary / Pay Range
This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range.
Benefits Information
To learn more about our comprehensive benefits offerings, please visit: NFL BENEFITS
At the NFL, in-person work at our offices is a top priority because it allows us to collaborate more effectively, build stronger connections, and maintain the culture that drives our success. This role requires onsite presence at an NFL office or stadium location, and remote and/or hybrid working options are not offered.
NO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE WILL BE PROVIDED.
The NFL is committed to building an inclusive work environment that reflects our incredible fan base. We provide an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all employees and applicants without regard to status as protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.
WHO WE ARE:
NFL Core Values:
- Respect: Everyone matters. We celebrate diverse opinions, honor hard work, and value every contribution.
- Integrity: We do what's right, even when it's tough. We hold ourselves accountable and always follow through.
- Team Responsibility: We support each other and our communities. No one is bigger than the game, and every action impacts others.
- Resiliency: We set high standards, overcome adversity, and adapt to challenges, always striving for excellence.
NFL Leadership Attributes:
- Build Talent: We develop and nurture potential, empowering individuals to grow and succeed.
- Execute: We take action with precision, delivering results that drive our goals forward.
- Inspire: We motivate others through vision, energy, and a commitment to excellence.
- Live Our Values: We embody our core principles in every decision and action.
- Know the Business: We stay informed, understand our industry, and make decisions that strengthen our position.
- Think Big: We challenge the status quo, envision bold possibilities, and strive for transformative impact
WHO YOU ARE:
Talent Attributes: What we expect for our employees:
- Embody an enthusiastic, proactive can-do attitude
- Embrace grit, free from ego or entitlement
- Excel as a relationship builder, with the ability to influence
- Eager learner, driven by passion rather than just ambition
- Encompasses an incredible work ethic with an agile mindset
Posted by NFL League Office. SportsCareers is a job board, not the employer. Applying takes you to their official careers page.